A return to nationalism and a hardening in international relations: global trends and developments that have been spotlighted and even amplified by the corona crisis. That the corona crisis is having an impact on our society is obvious to all. That the armed forces play a significant role in dealing with the crisis too. But how do global developments now relate to national developments? What - changing - role does the armed forces play in them?

The four speakers at the Mars and Mercury Symposium / webinar will outline how these global developments in international relations in the corona and post-corona era manifest themselves in the Dutch national domain, and how the armed forces are adapting to be and remain firmly anchored in this changing society. The speakers will then discuss, among other things, the vision and role of the Territorial Operations Centre (TOC), and how reservists occupy a special position at the interface between the armed forces and society.

Note: We wanted to offer the symposium this year at multiple venues as well as online. But due to the recent strict coronary guidelines, we have decided to cancel the five 'physical' venues as of 15 October. Online, however, you can connect to the webinar for free from the Kromhout Barracks in Utrecht via LIVE Stream Solutions. An interactive chat function will be available during the webinar.


The programme of the webinar is as follows:

15:00 Opening by Han ten Broeke MSc, Director of Political Affairs at HCSS (moderator)
15:10 The crumbling of multilateralism: implications for EU and NATO? by Jack Thompson PhD MA, (Strategic Analyst HCSS, English-language)
15:40 International developments and their impact in the Netherlands, by Col Hans van Dalen (Staff CLAS)
16:10 Short break
16:20 The Territorial Operations Centre (TOC): purpose, vision and experiences, by Col Piet Hagenaars (C TOC)
16:50 Reservists: link between armed forces and society, by Lkol Rob Moerman (Bureau Reservists Staff CLAS)
17:20 Wrap Up, by Genm Rob Jeulink (P-CLAS)
17:35 Q+A and chat questions, by Han ten Broeke
17:50 Closing by Han ten Broeke

REGISTER VIA THE LINK: https://www.livewebinar.eu/mars-en-mercurius/inschrijven-symposium-2020